OpenAI alleges ex-employee smuggled over 100 secret device files to Apple on his FINAL DAY at the firm

From the Newshound archive · first published 15 October 2026.

OpenAI is suing a former employee it accuses of copying more than 100 highly confidential files about an unreleased device to personal accounts shortly after midnight on 2 June — his last night at the firm — before moving to Apple. The lawsuit, lodged in a US federal court in San Jose, alleges he later briefed Apple's senior leadership on OpenAI's product roadmap, up to and including the company's vice president of operations in Asia. OpenAI has warned that its trade secrets may already be shaping Apple's upcoming AI products and has signalled it may pursue a countersuit.

The employee had previously worked at Apple before a six-month period at OpenAI, then returned to the company; the files he allegedly took contained detailed engineering and manufacturing data relating to an unreleased device.

OpenAI pointed to Apple's launch of its HomeView smart home line this week as evidence that Apple is already benefiting from its confidential research and ideas.

Apple denied the claims, saying an internal review found no OpenAI files on its servers and that the phone numbers OpenAI named as recipients were not associated with the employee during his tenure there.